Haganas releases debut CD

MANILA, Philippines - A quartet from the province of Leyte is poised to make a name for themselves with the release of their independently-produced debut album which is distributed by Synergy Music. Haganas gets the break it long deserves after going all the way to the Finals of the Global Battle of the Bands back in 2005.

Haganas, a Waray-Waray word that pertains to the sound of a river current, recorded the 10-track album last April and decided to name it Mga Kuwento ni Caloy. The first single Love Kita Noon is being played on provincial stations and went atop the I-FM chart.

“I can say that our musical reflections are mostly inspired by life in Leyte,” said the band’s chief songwriter Joel Agustin. “As far as I can recall, playing musical instruments was our pastime, so we spent a lot of time playing music together and we enjoyed doing it.”

The group members first played together in Marabong River located in their hometown Burauen which introduced them significantly to the sound of running waters. They were discovered by Joey Guban, manager of popular Manila-based band Siakol, when they fronted for the latter in a gig in Ormoc City. Incidentally, Siakol is one of Haganas’ musical influences, along with other notable ’90s Pinoy rock acts like The Youth, Wolfgang and Grin Department.

Mga Kuwento Ni Caloy also includes the songs Batang Kalye, which they performed at the GBOB finals; the radio-friendly Happy Ending and Si Caloy, which according to Agustin is about himself. “I started aiming to reach my goal ever since I was a kid. I just used the name Caloy because it is a very common Filipino name and it is easy to recall. It reflects on my character as being ambitious, hoping that someday, all my dreams will come true.”

Other members of Haganas are drummer Dale Sarcilla, bassist Mitchelle Nuevarez and lead singer Rocky Sablawon.